ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Science & Technology
India calls for commitment from the global clean energy community for access to sustainable fuels, chemicals, and materials to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve global climate goals
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh addresses the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties  for the Mission Innovation Initiative
Mission “Integrated Bio-refineries” under Mission Innovation was launched to scale-up clean energy solutions at affordable cost
India promoting R&D in Sustainable biofuels including Sustainable Aviation fuels to mitigate Green-house gas emissions: Dr Jitendra Singh
India today called for commitment from the global clean energy community for access to sustainable fuels, chemicals, and materials to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve global climate goals as one of the mitigation measures.
Addressing the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties  for the Mission Innovation Initiative last evening, Union Minister for Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh drew attention to the efforts made by India & Netherlands along with Mission Innovation Members in taking forward the Mission Innovation 2.0 through this newly developed Mission “Integrated Bio refineries” that was launched on the occasion.
The Minister said, India, through "Mission Innovation", is actively engaged in collaborative efforts to catalyse inspiring innovation goals that will lead to affordable and scale-up of clean energy solutions. He welcomed the global clean energy community to make every effort to ensure global engagement in this Mission to achieve the mission's universal objectives on time.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, through Mission Innovation, India with the Netherlands aims to leverage its extensive experience in research and innovation, support for the start-up ecosystem, international collaborations, through the launch of "Mission Integrated Bio refineries". He said, the Mission brings together a dynamic and delivery-focused alliance of countries, the private sector, research institutes, and civil society to accelerate innovation in renewable fuels, chemicals, and materials for a low-carbon future.
Addressing the Ministers, CEOs and senior representatives from Government and Private Sectors, Dr Jitendra Singh said, Green-house gas emissions from the transport and chemical sectors account for about one-third of the global emission and is projected to increase. He informed that India through the Department of Biotechnology has been promoting R&D in Sustainable biofuels including Sustainable Aviation fuels.
The Minister added that development and demonstration of bio refinery technologies for sustainable fuels, chemicals, and materials can help accelerate the development of bio-based solutions and must be at the forefront of our efforts to create a low-carbon future that is sustainable for society's well-being while also being environmentally friendly.
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SNC/RR
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Ministry of Coal
Coal Ministry Successfully Auctions 87 Mines in less than Three Years
Likely to Generate Rs. 33200 Crore Revenue & Three lakh Employment Opportunities
7th round Auction Process for 106 Coal Blocks to be launched on 29th March
With a vision of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”, the first ever tranche of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions was launched by the Prime Minister in June, 2020. Mineral laws were amended to open up the coal sector,to provide a level-playing field to the public & private sector players and to permit auction of coal mines without any restriction on end use – coal from these mines can be utilized towards own consumption, sale or for any other purpose.
Key features of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions are as under:
- No restriction on Sale and/or Utilization of Coal.
- Reduction in upfront amount and bid security amount.
- No stipulation of technical or financial eligibility criteria to enable wider participation.
- Permission to relinquish part of the Coal Mine in case of partially explored Coal Mines.
- Introduction of National Coal Index and National Lignite Index.
- Migration to % revenue sharing mechanism instead of fixed Rs. /Tonne based auction.
- Incentives for promoting early coal production and adoption of clean coal technologies.
- 100% FDI under automatic route.
- Higher Revenue generation and Employment generation.
- Development of nearby areas around Coal Mines.
Within a span of less than three years, six tranches of auctions have been concluded successfully and 87 coal mines have been auctioned. These mines are estimated to generate revenue of around Rs. 33,200 Crores and to provide employment to about three lakhs persons.
Projections from Commercial Mining
Cumulative figures across the tranches:
For ease of doing business, the Ministry of Coal has conceptualized a Single Window Clearance System  portal. SWCS is the innovative endeavor of the Ministry of coal to create a platform to obtain various clearances for early operationalization of coal mines to ultimately result in the augmentation of coal production in the country through a single gateway. It is proposed to map all the statutory clearances required  for starting of a coal mine. The portal is shall map the relevant application formats as well as process flows for grant of the approval/clearances.
On March 29, 2023, the Ministry of Coal is launching the process for7th round of auctions for a total of 106 coal blocks. The coal mines on offer are selected considering the varied demands of the investors. The Ministry of Coal is committed to attain self-sufficiency in the area of coal, for economic growth and development of the nation.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Ban on Crop Residue Burning
The National Green Tribunal in the order passed on 10.12.2015, directed and prohibited agricultural residue burning in any part of the NCT of Delhi, State of Rajasthan, State of Punjab, State of Uttar Pradesh and State of Haryana.
Paddy Stubble burning is mainly practiced in Indo-gangetic plains of the States of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to clear the fields for Rabi Crop sowing. However, as informed by other States, the severities of uncontrolled crop residue burning incidences are not significant.
In 2018, a new Central Sector Scheme on ‘Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for In-Situ Management of Crop Residue in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi’ has been launched with the total outgo from the Central funds of Rs. 1151.80 crore.
During 2018-19, funds amounting to Rs. 269.38 crores, Rs.137.84 crores and Rs. 148.60 crores have been released to the Government of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh respectively for distribution of in-situ crop residue management machinery to the farmers on subsidy, establishment of Custom Hiring Centres  of in-situ crop residue management machinery and undertaking Information, Education and Communication  activities for creating awareness among farmers.
During 2019-20, the funds amounting to Rs. 248.00 crores, Rs.175.00 crores and Rs. 97.54 crores have also been released so far to the Government of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, respectively.
Any person or body that is found offending the directions of National Green Tribunal is liable to pay Environmental Compensation and it is collected by the concerned State Governments. As per the information received from the State Governments, the Government of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have only collected the Environmental Compensation towards burning of crop residue, as stated below.
|
|
State
|
|
Environmental Compensation collected by the States 
|
|
2015-16
|
|
2016-17
|
|
2017-18
|
|
2018-19
|
|
Punjab
|
|
NIL
|
|
73.22
|
|
133.94
|
|
167.58
|
|
Haryana
|
|
NIL
|
|
19.38
|
|
52.78
|
|
61.72
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
NIL
|
|
NIL
|
|
NIL
|
|
28.60
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Target for Completion of Highways
There are 60 major national highways projects which are on the verge of completion and are targeted for completion during the next 100 days. To expedite completion of these projects various steps have been taken which include streamlining of land acquisition & environment clearances, premium re-scheduling, close coordination with other Ministries, revamping of dispute resolution mechanism, regular meetings with project developers, contractors & State Governments etc.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM flags off Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express at MGR Chennai Central Railway Station in Chennai, Tamil Nadu
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi flagged off the Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express at MGR Chennai Central Railway Station in Chennai, Tamil Nadu today. Upon arriving at the venue, the Prime Minister inspected the Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express and also interacted with children as well as with the train’s crew.
The Prime Minister tweeted:
“The wonderful cities of Chennai and Coimbatore have even better connectivity thanks to the Vande Bharat Express. Flagged off the train and also met young friends on the occasion.”
The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri R N Ravi, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Shri M K Stalin and the Union Minister for Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Ministry of Minority Affairs
Secularism, Social-Communal Harmony and Tolerance is in the DNA of India: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
Union Minister for Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said that "secularism, social-communal harmony and tolerance" is in the DNA of India and compared to the entire world, constitutional, social, cultural and religious rights of minorities are more safe and secure in India.
During a meeting with a delegation of “Diocese of Delhi- Church of North India” Shri Naqvi said that the Central Government led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is working with commitment to “Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas” and “Development with Dignity” with complete honesty and without any discrimination.
He said that the Government has broken every barrier including caste, religion, region and it is moving forward towards “inclusive growth” to ensure that not a single Indian is deprived of the light of development. He added that the government is committed to protect all constitutional institutions, democratic values and religious rights of all sections. Shri Naqvi called for caution against those forces who want to disturb the atmosphere of trust and development due to their “prejudiced mindset and vested interests”. He said, that social-communal harmony is our culture and tolerance is our commitment and we all have to work together to protect and strengthen this culture and commitment.
Shri Naqvi said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is working for all religions and castes without any discrimination. The Government's “Jan Dhan Yojana”, "Skill India", "Start Up India", "Stand Up India", "Mudra Yojana”, "Ujjwala Yojana" have benefited a large number of poor, weaker sections, minorities and women. The Minister said that the work done for the socio-economic-educational empowerment of minorities in the last 48 months had not been done even in 48 years. Programmes such as "Garib Nawaz Kaushal Vikas Yojana", "Hunar Haat", "Nai Manzil”, “Seekho aur Kamao”, "Begum Hazrat Mahal Girls Scholarship", "Nai Udaan”, “Naya Savera” etc have proved to be the milestone for the empowerment of minorities.
The Minister said that he regularly meets with various delegations of Minority communities to take a stock of ground reality to ensure that schemes aimed at their socio-economic-educational empowerment are implemented effectively.
The thirteen member delegation, led by Revd. Dr. Suresh Kumar, vice-president of Diocese of Delhi , comprised of people from various fields such as- Revd. Kamal Jerald Rodgers Mall, Revd. Mohit Heinz Hitter, Mrs Anuradha Amos, Principal; Mrs Poornima Lall, Principal; Mrs K Sudha, Principal; Ms Swati Paul, Principal; Ms Olivia Biswas, Teacher; and others .
Prime Minister's Office
PM addresses Inaugural Session of Assistant Secretaries 
PM urges young officers to bring new vision, new ideas and fresh approaches to problems, during their stint as Assistant Secretaries.
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today interacted with about 160 young IAS officers of the 2017 batch, who have recently been appointed Assistant Secretaries in the Government of India.
The Prime Minister recalled his meeting with the group, during their training in Mussoorie.
During the interaction, the officers shared their experiences during field training. They sought to relate these experiences with their classroom training sessions in Mussoorie. Officers who had worked in the Aspirational Districts related how the recent initiatives in these districts are performing on the ground.
The Prime Minister described the upcoming three-month attachment of the officers, in the Government of India, as extremely important, and part of a well-thought out process. He said that each and every one of the officers has a chance to influence policy formulation, over this period.
Shri Narendra Modi encouraged the officers to bring in a new vision, new ideas and new approaches to solving problems.
He said the objective of the programme is to infuse novelty and freshness into the working of the Government. The confluence of experience and freshness would be beneficial to the system, he added.
He said they should approach the tasks given to them, from a fresh and "citizen-centric perspective."
The Prime Minister also emphasized that the officers should try to come out with holistic solutions, to the problems assigned to them.
He urged them to relate the work they would do in Delhi, to their recent experiences in the field. Minister of State in PMO, Dr. Jitendra Singh and senior officials from the Prime Minister's Office, and the Department of Personnel and Training were present on the occasion.
An audio visual film depicting the life and achievements of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who is considered the architect of the Civil Services in India, was also shown on the occasion.
Prime Minister's Office
PM’s Message on the Occasion of Anti Leprosy Day
PM’s Message on the Occasion of Anti Leprosy Day
(The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has called for a collective effort to completely eliminate the ‘treatable disease’ of leprosy from India.
In a message on the occasion of anti-leprosy day, the Prime Minister said that we have to work together for socio-economic uplift of the cured persons and for their contribution in nation-building. He said we have to strive hard to ensure that these citizens of our country lead a life with dignity that Mahatma Gandhi dreamt of.
The Prime Minister recalled that Mahatma Gandhi had an enduring concern for people afflicted with leprosy. His vision was not just to treat them, but also to mainstream them into our society, he added.
The Prime Minister said that the effort to eliminate leprosy from this country under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme is a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi’s vision. He recalled that this programme was launched way back in 1955. He noted that the goal of leprosy elimination as a public health problem i.e., prevalence rate of less than 1 case per 10,000 population at national level was achieved in 2005. He said that although the case detection rate thereafter has marginally decreased, visible deformity at the time of diagnosis has increased. He said that as a country, we have to leave no stone unturned to not just reach the last mile but also to work together to eliminate the social stigma attached with this disease.
The Prime Minister mentioned that a three-pronged strategy for early detection of leprosy cases in the community was introduced in 2016 under the National Health Mission, especially in the hard-to-reach areas. A special Leprosy Case Detection Campaign was carried out in 2016. As a result, more than 32000 cases were confirmed and were put on treatment. In addition, persons who are in close contact with the patients were also given medicine to reduce the chances of occurrence of the disease in them.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar asserts that Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium  has the important responsibilty of formation of 10000 FPOs and strenghthening of the e-NAM platform
Addressing the 24th Management Board and 19th Annual General Board meetings of the SFAC, Shri Tomar appreciated the linking of 1000 markets to e-NAM; More than 1.66 crore farmers and more than 1.30 lakh businesses have been registered with e-NAM
Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Shri Narendra Singh Tomar has said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has made revolutionary reforms in the field of agriculture including the important step of announcing the formation of 10 thousand Farmer Producer Organizations . The responsibility of completing this task lies with the Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium , which is also responsible for strengthening the e-NAM platform in the present circumstances. There has been considerable progress in institutional and private investments after the establishment of SFAC.
Addressing the 24th Management Board and 19th Annual General Board meetings of the SFAC, Shri Tomar congratulated SFAC team for linking 1000 markets to e-NAM in two phases. He further said that the purpose of creating the platform should be accomplished. Business of more than Rs. I lakh crore has been transacted over the e-NAM platform till now. More than 1.66 crore farmers and more than 1.30 lakh businesses have been registered with e-NAM since its inception. Shri Tomar said that it is a challenge for us to ensure that as a result of reforms, there is ease in selling of produce, along with transparency, farmers get remunerative prices for their produce and they have direct access to this platform. Farmers have completed the harvesting work with great dedication even during the period of lockdown and earning is also now being completed successfully. SFAC must be congratulated for helping the farmers in this.
Shri Tomar said that previously SFAC used to form FPOs on the basis of existing schemes, but it is a matter of happiness today that Hon’ble Prime Minister has announced the formation of 10 thousand FPOs across the country which will give a boost to this task. FPOs must not only be formed but they they must also achieve their objectives. Their responsibilities increase in ensuring that farmers gather in groups, hold discussions and get trained, increase their production, diversify their crops, and discuss ways of decreasing use of pesticides etc. Hon’ble Prime Minister has set the target of doubling farmers’ incomes. In between the problem of COVID appeared yet the pace of Ministry of Agriculture and farmers has not slackened. Shri Narendra Singh Tomar appreciated that SFAC launched the Kisan Rath app with the help of officials of the Ministry of Agriculture which lessened the problem of transport of farm produce during lockdown.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Promotion of Compressed Natural Gas
Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board  is the authority to grant authorization to the entities for the development of City Gas Distribution  network in Geographical Areas  as per PNGRB Act, 2006. PNGRB identifies GAs for authorizing the development of CGD network in synchronization with the development of natural gas pipeline connectivity, natural gas availability and techno-commercial viability. Establishment of CNG Stations is a part of development of City Gas Distribution  Network by an authorized entity. The authorized entities are committed to set up CNG Stations as per Minimum Work Program in authorized GAs. There are about 2,543 operational CNG Stations in the country as on 30.11.2020. State wise list of CNG stations are at Annexure. So far 232 Geographical Areas  havebeen authorized for development of CGD network across country up to 10th CGD Bidding Round covering more than 400 districts in the country in 27 States/Union Territories .
PNGRB has authorized Indraprashtha Gas Limited  to develop CGD network in National Capital Territory of Delhi ,Torrent Gas Private Limited to Alwar  district and Haryana City Gas Distribution  Limited to Bhiwadi  of Rajsthan. Further, Bharatpur district of Rajasthan is covered under Firozabad  GA authorized to GAIL Gas Limited. At present, 421 CNG stations are operational in NCT of Delhi, 1  CNG station is operational in Alwar District and 4 CNG Stations are operational in Bharatpur district in Rajasthan. The authorized entities set up CNG stations as per Minimum Work Program in authorized GAs as per techno-commercial viability, including in Gujarat.
Annexure
State wise list of CNG stations in the country|
|
Sl No.
|
|
State
|
|
CNG Stations as on 30.11.2020
|
|
1
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
72
|
|
2
|
|
Assam
|
|
1
|
|
3
|
|
Bihar
|
|
9
|
|
4
|
|
Chandigarh, Haryana, Punjab & Himachal Pradesh|
|
15
|
|
5
|
|
Dadara& Nagar Haveli
|
|
7
|
|
6
|
|
Daman and Diu
|
|
4
|
|
7
|
|
Daman and Diu & Gujarat
|
|
9
|
|
8
|
|
Goa
|
|
4
|
|
9
|
|
Gujarat
|
|
709
|
|
10
|
|
Haryana
|
|
137
|
|
11
|
|
Haryana & Himachal Pradesh|
|
2
|
|
12
|
|
Haryana & Punjab|
|
4
|
|
13
|
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
|
1
|
|
14
|
|
Jharkhand
|
|
13
|
|
15
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
37
|
|
16
|
|
Kerala
|
|
12
|
|
17
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
70
|
|
18
|
|
Madhya Pradesh & Rajasthan|
|
2
|
|
19
|
|
Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh|
|
2
|
|
20
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
397
|
|
21
|
|
Maharashtra & Gujarat
|
|
12
|
|
22
|
|
National Capital Territory of Delhi 
|
|
421
|
|
23
|
|
Odisha
|
|
19
|
|
24
|
|
Puducherry& Tamil Nadu|
|
1
|
|
25
|
|
Punjab
|
|
69
|
|
26
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
39
|
|
27
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
|
2
|
|
28
|
|
Telangana
|
|
73
|
|
29
|
|
Tripura
|
|
11
|
|
30
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
340
|
|
31
|
|
Uttar Pradesh & Rajasthan|
|
25
|
|
32
|
|
Uttar Pradesh &Uttarakhand|
|
1
|
|
33
|
|
Uttarakhand
|
|
10
|
|
34
|
|
West Bengal
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
2543Some of the GAs authorized by PNGRB span areas in more than one state.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Maldives in Health Sector
The Union Cabinet has given ex-post-facto approval to the Memorandum of Understanding  between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of Maldives on cooperation in the field of Health signed on 08th June, 2019.
The Memorandum of Understanding covers the following areas of cooperation: -
- Exchange & Training of medical doctors, officials, other health professionals and experts;
- Medical and health research development;
- Regulation of medicines and medical products, and exchange of information thereon;
- Communicable and Non-Communicable diseases;
- E-Health and Telemedicine; and
- Any other area of cooperation as may be mutually decided upon.
A Working Group will be set up to further elaborate the details of cooperation and to oversee the implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
EEWS
The National Centre for Seismology , an attached office of Ministry of Earth Sciences  intends to install the earthquake early warning system on pilot basis. The decision to establish an EEWS pilot program would depend on various factors, including the geographical location of target area & seismic activity.
Though, response time of taking action after occurrence of earthquake is very small  depending upon the distance between source and responders but information based on EEWS can help to safeguard the critical facilities by stopping their operations such as electric & gas supply, power plants and trains etc. to minimise losses of life and property.
NCS plans to collaborate with other countries including USA and Japan to explore the feasibility of EEWS and various algorithms suitable for Indian context.
This information was given by Union Minister of Earth Sciences, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.